The Walnut Club celebrates history in the making with a special awards reception timed to coincide with the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

The first annual Women Making History Celebration and Awards Ceremony takes place on Sunday, July 24, 2016, from 11:00am to 2:00pm at Water Works (640 Water Works Drive, Philadelphia). The event will bring together some of the most accomplished women in all aspects of business, media, arts, and politics to champion each other’s achievements. Attendees can mix and mingle with award winners, guests from across the country as well as those in legislation who are making history in our country’s capital. This non-partisan event is open to the public. Tickets are $100-175 and include an open bar, a raw bar, endless food and live entertainment. Proceeds from the event benefit Vision 2020: Equality in Sight. In Philadelphia during the year 2020, the organization plans to convene the largest gathering of women leaders in U.S. history. For tickets and details, visit www.WomenMakingHistory.us

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome distinguished national guests to this unique event where we can honor women for their accomplishments and provide a venue where anyone in our city (no matter the party affiliation) can enjoy the excitement brought about by the Democratic National Convention,” says Marla McDermott, founder and president of The Walnut Club.

For the first time in history, a woman is being nominated for President of The United States at the upcoming Democratic National Convention. The Walnut Club is excited to host this once-in-a-lifetime event centered around this historic election that also celebrates the amazing accomplishments of women in our own community.

During the event, The Walnut Club will toast the first female presidential nominee of a political party while paying tribute to trailblazing women who came before. There will also be an awards ceremony recognizing nine incredible local women for their history making achievements. Honorees include Lynne Yeakel, Joan Shepp, Cynthia Link, Marilyn Russell, Leslie Richards, Jeri Lynne Johnson, Judge Renee Cardwell Hughes, Rep. Rosita Youngblood, and Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez.

Tickets are $100-175 and include:

• A full open bar with endless Bloody Mary's, Bellinis and The Walnut Club's signature cocktail• A raw bar including chilled seafood station and passed hors d’oeuvres• Lunch stations that include a ravioli station, Asian station, soup & salad station, and a carving station• A Viennese dessert display and chocolate fountain• Spend time with award winners + DNC guests + people from around the country• Complimentary valet parking• Live Entertainment, and a few surprises

Live entertainment includes The Budesa Brothers featuring Michal Beckham and the talented girls from Philadelphia’s Rock to the Future program with sounds that reflect the best of Philadelphia – from Joan Jett and Patti Labelle to Hall and Oates.

Proceeds from the event benefit Vision 2020. Vision 2020 is a project of the Institute for Women’s Health and Leadership in Drexel’s College of Medicine. A coalition of individuals and organizations throughout all 50 states have united in pursuit of shared leadership among women and men, economic security for women, youth education and civic engagement. In Philadelphia during the year 2020, the organization plans to convene the largest gathering of women leaders in U.S. history. This historic event will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment granting women suffrage.

HISTORIC BACKDROP

The Fairmount Water Works is a National Historic Landmark, a Civil Engineering Landmark, and a National Mechanical Engineering Landmark. It first opened its doors in 1815 to provide safe, clean drinking water to a city on the cusp of remarkable growth. It is situated on the east bank of the Schuylkill River between historic Boat House Row and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

ABOUT THE WALNUT CLUB

Founded in 2015, The Walnut Club is a community of forward-thinking, ambitious and supportive professional women. The Club curates resources and experiences that provide members opportunities to gain access to knowledge and networks that foster professional and personal growth.

Membership includes over 100 diverse women who are making contributions in a variety of fields ranging from arts and design to engineering, construction and finance. From seasoned leaders and CEOs to women in the beginning of their careers, each has made an investment in themselves and demonstrated a commitment to empowering and supporting others by becoming a member of The Walnut Club.

The Walnut Club is a progressive, member only organization that connects high-achieving women to each other and to the best of what Philadelphia has to offer.